Types of Abuse
God's Word Warns Us NOT TO BE Unequally Yoked With Unbelievers
Source: I have misplaced the source of this article :O/
Being a godly influence means helping others comprehend who Jesus is, grow in their understanding of the Word, and make God - honoring choices. To be such a person, we must have strong conviction, solid commitment, and steady courage.
In order to have a godly impact on others, we must first be convinced that Scripture is true. The Israelite Daniel knew the biblical prohibition against eating meat offered to idols. As a captive in a pagan country, he faced a dilemma. Since his meals were offered first to idols, he had to decide whether to obey the law and risk punishment from men, or adopt Babylonian ways and displease the Lord.
What convictions do you have? Do you believe the following?
1. The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. There are no mistakes in it; "discrepancies" are just things we do not understand yet. (2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.2 Timothy 3 verse 16)
2. God is Three - in - One: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each member is fully divine. (Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Matthew 28 verse 19)
3. Eternal life is received only through faith in Jesus - there is no other way. (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14 verse 6) Salvation cannot be earned, even by good works. (Ephesians 2:8-9(verse 8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(verse 9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2 verses 8-9)
4. Jesus will one day return for those who believe in Him, and He will take them with Him to heaven. (John 14:2-3(verse 2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(verse 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.John 14 verses 2-3) But unbelievers will remain under divine wrath. (John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.John 3 verse 36)
Daniel believed what the Scriptures said, and God granted him favor. Our Father is also pleased with us when we trust in His Word. How firm are your convictions?
If our friends and associates aren't followers of Christ, and if we seldom have the influence of other Christians, that too will affect our characters. For we usually take on the color of our associates, of the ground in which our feet (our walk) is planted.
So God's Word warns us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. God tells us to come out from among them and be separate. This doesn't mean to live like monks, for Jesus tells us to help others to come to know Him. This means our closest associates should be those who love the Lord as we do.
The Bible tells us that we are to train up our children in the way they should go. Certainly, in this day of "anything goes" I think it's so important to instill this principle in our children and to encourage their participation in church activities for youth. If we plant our feet in the good soil of God's Word, God's church, and godly living, our characters will grow to be like that of our Lord Jesus!
Isaiah 55:8-9(verse 8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
(verse 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.Isaiah 55 verses 8-9 says that God's thoughts, are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. People committed to change must also change the way they think. Their thoughts have not been God's thoughts, but rather the thoughts of their own pain and pride. For true change, we must renew our minds to think God's thoughts. We accomplish this task by dedication to God's Word and a commitment to implement it in our lives. As we read the Bible DAILY, we learn to gird up the loins of our minds and to TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE. The Scriptures endow our minds with POWER and REVELATION as new patterns of thought begin to build us up and change us from the inside.
Also, for there to be any lasting change in your life, you must forgive those who have wronged or abuse you. Forgiving for many is a difficult and seemingly impossible task. If you have been abused, it is easy to understand this difficulty. However, the ramifications of unforgiveness may be deadly to you, the wounded person. Sometimes you will experience guilt and condemnation if you are unable to forgive. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. As you heal, you will be able to forgive more readily.
Lastly, healthy relationships MUST BE ESTABLISHED in your life! The human soul was created to desire and need intimacy. Consequently, true and lasting healing will not occur until relationships have been successfully achieved. Sometimes God creates situations where the healing person re-establishes a healthy relationship from an unhealthy relationship from his hurting past. At other times God will bring new, fresh relationships as laboratories for healing. Though God may call you apart into defined, temporary periods of separation, He won't allow that to become a permanent refuge from emotional vulnerability. Healing takes time. God has the power to heal us instantaneously but seldom have I seen Him work this way. He leads us out of the abyss one step at a time. You will reap in due season if you "do not grow weary of well doing."